2025. A Year in Review

What a bloody fantastic year!

Although not all plain sailing as is to be expected from your authors life. Allow me some self indulgence.

Yes, I know this whole blog is self indulgent. Well it is called My 11 Year Plan. Duh. We kick the year off with ice skating. Random I know, but it has almost become a tradition for Lucy and I to go to Birmingham and try to avoid broken bones on the annual rink they put up for the Christmas period as we avoid wayward kids, knobheads and Dry Robe wearing wankers.

The first year we went was because Lucy had been stood up.

I know, I was shocked too, she's a bloody catch.

So I subbed in (as besties do) and we had the best giggle, especially when I totally stacked it on to my left hip, broke my watch strap and had a bit of a Getty strop. OK, ok, I can hear you.

You are so bossy!

I am sure I have dealt with the whole Lucy thing already but for those of you in the cheap seats.

No, we should not be together. There are names popping in my head now, names beginning with S, L, K, both D's all saying, "are you sure"?

Yes! I adore her and she loves me, as best mates. Yes we have 'history' but that was a long time ago. We support each other in many ways and I adore her girls as if they were my own, plus she has the cutest pair of pooches. (I mean her dogs. Really! You are better than that dear reader) We are the best gig and theatre buddies. We argue like an old married couple at times, but we always make up. We are perfect as we are. She does feature heavily in my year, granted, which does not help my argument. Line drawn. Ok? Good. Leave it and move on! (grumpy face emoji) Love you all really. xx January also saw one of the best mates I have ever had, a member of https://www.my11yearplan.com/post/the-pink-crocs hit the Big 5-0 We booked an Airbnb and had the best weekend in Liverpool, starting in a Hooters and the rest of it simply got better and better from there. What a superb time with just the best people in the world, you never cease to make me smile boys, roll on next weekend when we go out for the Christmas drinks all dayer! Our Jolly Boys Outing!

Lock up your daughters. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTV8gGO6ouU February came around and I had booked tickets to see one of my most favourite plays, An Inspector Calls, and Lucy was joining me. She got the train to town, we went for drinks and food and let's just say that the combination of dry January, rich food and drink did not mix well with her. She threw up, a lot, outside, against a wall.

We missed the play so she could recover on my sofa. I rubbed her feet and made sure she had enough Fat Coke, before she felt well enough to make the journey back home. Ha ha, love her, I walk past the wall almost on a daily basis, it is now nicknamed Lucy's Wall. In February I was headhunted, not for the first time (does the Jimmy Carr smug head wobble), and after two interviews was offered the role.

A huge step up for me after a mixed career in my chosen industry. I booked a solo holiday for March, Egypt, which I have already written about, but to save your poor worn out scrolling thumb, I am plagiarising myself.

Is that an oxymoron, can I plagiarise myself? Skip the italics if you have already read the post. I have been abroad already, grabbing an all inclusive week in Egypt in early March with the full intention of being a grumpy old bugger sitting in a corner by the pool with my books and headphones for the duration and simply relaxing.

Well, that didn't happen.

Arriving late on my first night I found a shop, bought a bottle of vodka and coke for the room, walked past some people sat in the bar, realised they were Brits and was invited to join, finally getting to bed around 3am throwing the empty bottle of vodka in the bin on the way.

Bumping into Mich and Rachel the following day on the way to breakfast they offered to sort a sun lounger out for me and then for the rest of the holiday I was with them constantly. I was playing darts (Killer), joining in the Aqua Gym, egged on by the lovely Jemila, I know, me doing hotel activities, shocking, and going on horse and camel riding trips. I even put a skirt on and span around in a circle in front of all the guests one evening.

After the ladies left for home I went on a trip to Cairo, by coach.

I have been before in 2004, but we flew that time. I thought seeing the Museum of Cairo the Pyramids and Sphinx again after so many years made sense, when in Rome and all that. I had checked the route and it is is circa 230 miles each way, I do that journey often for work, so didn't think it would be too bad.

I spent 25 hours on a coach.

A coach with poor air conditioning, having to sit next to a small strange man from the UK who liked to manspread, (we were both wearing shorts) and who explained he travels to Thailand, solo, very often. And loud Russians

Draw your own conclusions.

It was a superb trip all in all and I filled my heart with memories and made good friends. April saw Lucy and I (I did say she was heavily involved this year, she will keep cropping up, shush, we have dealt with us) heading north and joining some Army mates at Aintree for Ladies Day, a superb day and weekend. Who does not like a reason to get dressed up, pay silly prices for booze and lose money on the gee gee's? End of April saw my last day at a company I had worked for twice and spent around eight years of my career, in this industry, involved with in one way or another. It was an emotional day walking out the door for the last time. This was the start of my '2025 Silly Season', a time of weekend after weekend of events through the spring and summer with little reprise. I started my new job on 1st May, spring was well and truly here and I was relishing starting, albeit with nerves.

More on the job later. May 10th Lucy and I went to Birmingham to see two plays in one day. The matinee (no, not the Florida Sea Cows, IYKYK) of 'The Shark is Broken' written by and starring Ian Shaw, the son of Robert Shaw who played Quint in Jaws.

https://thesharkisbroken.com/

Set on The Orca it recounts the days of filming at sea as seen by the three main actors in Jaws, Robert Shaw, Roy Schneider and Richard Dreyfuss when Bruce the Shark was being problematic. Hence the title.

Out-fucking-standing!

I cried, yep, I don't care, I admit I bawled, it is that powerful.

Granted being a huge Jaws geek helps, but even Lucy agreed that it was superb. We then saw the evening showing of An Inspector Calls after our failed attempt in February, but I dozed off part way through due to too much vino! Maybe third time is the charm, or this is our cursed play. I read that as cur-said over cursed, do you? The following week we were in Gloucester for Army v RAF rugby, something that is becoming a pilgrimage and opportunity to catch up with the old warry bastards I served with. Always an amazing weekend. It ended with a huge curveball that I did not see coming, which is not a story for here (ever), but all is OK and I will say; You could not be more wrong about me or the events, you are still my army brother and I will always love you. Ok, lets have a weekend off.

Ah, nope Sam and Annie are in the UK for the Bank Holiday, so a trip to Winchester it is and my first time meeting the lady that has captured his heart. After a small medical blip (nothing of concern) we then showed Annie where we grew up.

No, we did not visit our father. As ever dropping them off at the station and saying goodbye was a total wrench.

Early June saw Lucy and I at the Kylie gig and a night out in Shrewsbury with the lads, which was as messy and brilliant as ever. End of June I was back 'oop north' for the 5 Sqn annual reunion. What a weekend!

So many laughs. First weekend of July.

Lucy, the girls and I headed to London for a weekend of back to back gigs in Finsbury Park. Friday night was Stereophonics.

Saturday was Kneecap, Amyl and the Sniffers and Fontaines DC.

The gigs were superb!

Amyl and the Sniffers are sublime, the energy from Amy is palpable. Finsbury Park, mmmm, not so good, bad layout and extortionate prices.

Following weekend was Lets Rock, without doubt one the best days of my year, every year, although it felt terminal and we worry that it may be dead and not coming back.

The night before the Lets Rock gig I was paddleboarding near The Quarry and could hear Matt Goss sound checking. Imagine telling the me in 1987 that would happen!

I fucking love this town!

https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Quarry/@52.7061543,-2.7640593,429m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x487a9e5161833c4d:0x3c1a8077e43c2609!8m2!3d52.7061511!4d-2.7614844!16zL20vMDN2M3hi?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTIwOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

The very next weekend Lucy and I are at Ludlow Castle to see Natalie Imbruglia (marry me Natalie, please) and Texas and what a night that was. Venue and gig just sublime. OK, please now can I have a break? Nope.

Next weekend, Sam is in the UK to sort his Visa out, hence https://www.my11yearplan.com/post/a-weekend-in-london As Murtagh said in Lethal Weapon. 'I am too old for this shit'. AM I FUCK! I love this life. A few weekends off (at last) and then Lucy and I were at Warwick Castle to see Texas again, this time supported by Heather Small (I don't want to marry her). September sees me hit 53 (how did that happen and how is this blog four years old) a meet up with S and L in Oxford and a trip to America as written here. https://www.my11yearplan.com/post/fifth-time-is-the-charm Ooosh! I crammed it in and there are still three months left.

We are the best part of a five minute read in, depending of your reading age, is it The Sun or more Tolstoy, I am not judging, and there is not one mention of dating. Well, my true faithful will have read this post; https://www.my11yearplan.com/post/first-dates-m%C3%A9nage-%C3%A0-trois and know that Paulypop has found his mojo and swagger again. If you are new, or missed that post, pop off, have a read and come back. Back?

All good? Cool. I am a player huh?

Well, the 'hits' kept and keep coming, I was and am getting some amazing matches. Granted they are not all leading to dates, well not yet anyway (Jimmy Carr smug head wobble again) but wow! I have been and am flattered by the likes and matches and it is helping my confidence in general. I have this cheeky smile on my face that is hard to wipe off. More gigs followed! Haim The Kooks Kneecap Jim Jeffries (so good live) Last Saturday, Stereophonics again with Lucy and the girls.

The gym is my mate again (maybe not so much this week) and the arms are back.

https://www.tiktok.com/@paul091972/video/7572662016729566486?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7403259860555712032 Yes, I am a dick, I know. The SAD is not getting me this year! An age ago (because I prattle on) I did say that it had not all been plain sailing and you'll be wondering how so, because I'd say that is a fucking awesome year by most standards! Well. The JAAAAG is in jail. Nothing wrong with her, she is still stunning. But a Magistrate (wanker) decided in October that my license should have a holiday with the DVLA for six months. Long story short, but too many points is a bad thing it seems.

Now, my arse is clenching as I leave the court, what fucking good is a building surveyor who cannot drive? I am also still in my six month probation period of my new job so a swift 'off you fuck' is on the cards from my employer.

Your author is in the doo doo.

It is deep and very smelly.

Now, you may remember I am an ESTP and also very risk adverse, I would rather deal with the fallout over pre-empting and avoiding the situation I have or am about to create. I have become, and am, very good at doing this. I immediately go into protection mode.

No job and no prospect of replicating my role and wage without a car means losing my home and everything. Think, think Paul, think. OK, got it. Lets sell everything I own, grab a flight to the USA, Nashville, and get a bar job, avoid the ICE (c*nts) and live a great life.

Simple huh? I could be Bruce Banner (without the radiation poisoning and alter ego) or The Littlest Hobo! Littlest Hobo Maybe Tomorrow theme song or I am thinking I can ride this out, keep it on the downlow ( I am so street, it scares me) remove the private plate, re-register the car to a mate, carry on driving, keep my nose clean, tell nobody, it is only six months, who needs to know?

Getting caught means jail time.

Mmmm.

That might be a stretch of being risk adverse, even for me.

I am a knee jerk reactionary, but I am also a realist, if only in time. I bit the bullet and fessed up. It has been a while since I was as scared as I was during that call, but wow.

My team and bosses rallied.

They like me, they want me to stay, they want to make it work. And we are making it work, I am nearly halfway through my time. This is why I know I made the right move. (I feel my previous company would have also looked after me).

I fucking love this job. Superb Team around me and I am, even after 23 years in Insurance, learning almost daily. But.

Fuck I am getting ass raided when I come to insure the car again, I will be bending over, parting the cheeks and asking if that is 'better for them'. It is just money. As I type and end this post, we are one week away from Christmas Day being nearly over. I am ending the year single, again, but this time that is ok, because I have irons in fires and, as I said, that cheeky smile, those that know me know it, is back and it is fucking staying. 2026, don't be a cunt...